3D proggies
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- tomkat
i'm looking for a 3d modelling program.
i don't wanna do do heavy stuff - just playing around a little with type or some simple characters and something to export to Flash maybe.so my question is:
which prog do you recommend to be most intuitive and easiest to learn..?
i really don't wanna go in too deep.thankuinadvance,
- tomkat0
swift.. cool i'll trial that.
and of the more "grownup" progs..? which one speaks to you at first sight.?
- adamfinger0
Assuming your on a PC, I would try out either 3DS Max. Its fairly advanced, but its pretty simple to render and works well in conjunction w/ Combustion (or even AE). Maya is also really good, especially if your interested in character modeling and animation.
If your on a mac, I know Maya is an option, but I don't know of any other programs.
-Adam
- adamfinger0
Wow, my grammar was quite impressive in my above post.
-Adam
- DigitalMe0
I find the interface in Maya to be clunky compared to MAX, but it does have good character stuff.
- DigitalMe0
I believe LightWave is cheaper than both MAX and Maya though.
- toastie0
try Wings3D, it's free and is actually one of the best modelling tools i've seen, even compared to alot of commercial modellers. No renderer though.
- tank0
plasma
bryce(hahahaha)
- mbr0
I use Max, but it costs a bundle (it's mostly what I do, so I need it's versatility). Maya is way overkill. Both are very expensive.
I'd start with the new copy of Computer Arts. On the cover CD is a light version of Cinema 4D, which can do almost everything Max or Maya can, and it's free. The upgrade is pretty cheap, if you want the whole version.
It's a 'real' 3D program, like max, maya, and lightwave. You can't go wrong and it's supposed to be easier to use. I'd use it if it weren't for the rendering plugins that I use in Max.
- mitsu0
try true space. it's much, much cheaper than 3ds, especially if you get an older version:
- chach0
3dsmax is the way to go if you're just getting started. It has a much larger user base than the other apps so its easier to get community support for it. Learning any of the 3d apps is going to be an involved, time consuming effort that you should be prepared for. IMHO, if you're looking for a cheap alternative, HASH's Animation Master is the way to go. Many more projects made it into this year's animation theater at Siggraph from HASH than from C4d or truespace (yuch!).
http://www.hash.com/
- sparker0
blender is open-source and free, it has a higher learning curve, but it also has a great user following. you can get help and such in the forums on their site.
just google "blender 3d".
milkshake is another decent little app...
both are geared towards game development, but you can do just plain rendering in them as well.
:)
- clint0
can you export to flash swf with any of those applications? does maya do it?
- chach0
maya, max, and softimage all have swf export options or plugins. some popular ones are: vecta3d and pulse3d and swift3d. Cleaner (Discreet's Editor) has swf export now as well.
The issue isn't whether or not you can export, but if you can export efficiently. Unfortunately, most of the exporters basically posterize the rendered image creating unique shapes for each area of color. As you can imagine, this builds up quick, and is a problem, 'cause you've still got to load whatever shapes are there for each frame.
no true shape+trajectory (b-spline) interpolation is utilized in the renderers AFAIK. If anyone knows otherwise, let me know!
- mbr0
With Max, you need Swift 3D or (I just bought, but haven't used) Final Render with FinalToon.
Plasma is Discreet's weapon, though, and is more powerful than Swift.
Maya, not sure. I believe it can export to Shockwave, but not a swf (at least without a plugin).If it's only for the web, stick with Plasma or Swift.
But I would really go for C4D. It's growing in popularity, rapidly, and it's a modular purchasing program, so you only buy what you want.
That is, assuming you are going to 'buy' it!If price is no concern, I like Max.